Sears To Cut Auto Work, Close Catalog Stores

January 28, 1993|by CONSTANCE WALKER, The Morning Call

Sears Roebuck and Co.'s will close its catalog stores in the region and cut back services at its auto centers.

Since the Chicago-based retailer is discontinuing its catalog operations, all 2,000 catalog stores -- many of which operate as part of other retailers such as an order center in within a drug store -- will close by the end of 1993.

The region has catalog stores, some with accompanying outlets, in Quakertown, Kutztown, Bangor and Franklin Township near Lehighton. Company officials said they do not know how many employees will be affected in the local area or when each store would close.

Spokesman Gregory Rossiter said Sears did not specify catalog store locations in its earlier press release because of the large number, the vast majority of which independently owned.

A handful of catalog stores in key markets will be converted into retailing stores, he said.

The region also will be affected by the elimination of jobs at Sears Tire and Auto Centers because of a reduction in services.

Sears is not closing auto centers in the area but will focus on tire and battery sales and related services including wheel balancing, shocks, struts and brakes, Rossiter said.

Rossiter said the number of jobs lost in particular locations has not been determined. A list of the auto centers in the Lehigh Valley was not readily available yesterday, but Rossiter said most Sears retail stores have an auto center.

The nation's third-largest retailer has department stores in Whitehall, Montgomeryville, Phillipsburg and North Wales, an appliance store in Pen Argyl and a new hardware specialty store in Trexlertown. Sears also is building a new store in Stroudsburg.

Although the company plans to close 113 of its retail stores, those in the region won't be affected, Rossiter said.

Sears also is eliminating about 3,000 full-time and 2,000 part-time positions by restructuring its home improvement services operations.

The retailer will continue to offer installation services -- such as siding, heating, garage door openers, appliances -- but the marketing of some of these services will be done exclusively through Sears authorized licensees. All outstanding warranties will be honored, Rossiter said.

The above changes are all a part of Sears' major restructuring program to streamline its merchandise group. A total of 16,000 full-time jobs and 34,000 part-time jobs will be eliminated.